(A) As used in this section and in section 955.202 of the Revised Code, "Ohio pet fund" means a nonprofit corporation organized by that name under Chapter 1702. of the Revised Code that consists of humane societies, veterinarians, animal shelters, companion animal breeders, dog wardens, or similar individuals and entities.

(B) The Ohio pet fund shall do all of the following:

(1) Establish eligibility criteria for organizations that may receive financial assistance from the Ohio pet fund. Those organizations may include any of the following:

(a) An animal shelter as defined in section 4729.01 of the Revised Code;

(b) A local nonprofit veterinary association that operates a program for the sterilization of dogs and cats;

(c) A charitable organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under subsection 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and a purpose of which is to support programs for the sterilization of dogs and cats and educational programs concerning the proper veterinary care of those animals.

(2) Establish procedures for applying for financial assistance from the Ohio pet fund. Application procedures shall require eligible organizations to submit detailed proposals that outline the intended uses of the moneys sought.

(3) Establish eligibility criteria for sterilization and educational programs for which moneys from the Ohio pet fund may be used and, consistent with division (C) of this section, establish eligibility criteria for individuals who seek sterilization for their dogs and cats from eligible organizations;

(4) Establish procedures for the disbursement of moneys the Ohio pet fund receives from license plate contributions pursuant to division (C) of section 4503.551 of the Revised Code;

(5) Advertise or otherwise provide notification of the availability of financial assistance from the Ohio pet fund for eligible organizations;

(6) Design markings to be inscribed on "pets" license plates under section 4503.551 of the Revised Code.

(C)

(1) The owner of a dog or cat is eligible for dog or cat sterilization services from an eligible organization when those services are subsidized in whole or in part by money from the Ohio pet fund if any of the following applies:

(a) The income of the owner's family does not exceed one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty guideline.

(b) The owner, or any member of the owner's family who resides with the owner, is a recipient or beneficiary of one of the following government assistance programs:

(i) Low-income housing assistance under the "United States Housing Act of 1937," 42 U.S.C.A. 1437f, as amended, known as the federal section 8 housing program;

(ii) The Ohio works first program established by Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code;

(iii) The medicaid program ;

(iv) A program or law administered by the United States department of veterans' affairs or veterans' administration for any service-connected disability;

(v) The supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), administered by the department of job and family services under section 5101.54 of the Revised Code;

(vi) The "special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children" established under the "Child Nutrition Act of 1966," 80 Stat. 885, 42 U.S.C. 1786, as amended, administered by the department of health under section 3701.132 of the Revised Code;

(vii) Supplemental security income under Title XVI of the "Social Security Act," 86 Stat. 1475 (1972), 42 U.S.C.A. 1383, as amended;

(viii) Social security disability insurance benefits provided under Title II of the "Social Security Act," 49 Stat. 620 (1935), 42 U.S.C.A. 401, as amended.

(c) The owner of the dog or cat submits to the eligible organization operating the sterilization program either of the following:

(i) A certificate of adoption showing that the dog or cat was adopted from a licensed animal shelter, a municipal, county, or regional pound, or a holding and impoundment facility that contracts with a municipal corporation;

(ii) A certificate of adoption showing that the dog or cat was adopted through a nonprofit corporation operating an animal adoption referral service whose holding facility, if any, is licensed in accordance with state law or a municipal ordinance.

(2) The Ohio pet fund shall determine the type of documentary evidence that must be presented by the owner of a dog or cat to show that the income of the owner's family does not exceed one hundred fifty per cent of the federal poverty guideline or that the owner is eligible under division (C)(1)(b) of this section.

(D) As used in division (C) of this section, "federal poverty guideline" means the official poverty guideline as revised annually by the United States department of health and human services in accordance with section 673(2) of the "Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981," 95 Stat. 511, 42 U.S.C.A. 9902, as amended, for a family size equal to the size of the family of the person whose income is being determined.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.

Amended by 128th General Assemblych.9, HB 2, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2009.

Effective Date: 03-23-2005